PoetryAloud

Clarence Wolfshohl Reads

The Woman Who Took Everything to Heart

When the surgeons opened her heartwhile keeping theirs closed, headsin control, they found kitchen appliancesfrom 1935 on, refrigerators and blendersshe had set hers on as a bride,ten foot high Nebraska snowdriftsthat never melted, one thousand milesof dirt and gravel road crammedin a 1915 Model-T sedan,packing crates of grapefruits--Ruby Reds from the Rio Grande Valley--several men in various stagesof tenderness, one with a ring,children in snapshots wearing cowboyboots and poodle skirts, bouquetsof faded camellias and tablesof card games, grudges with saltat the temples, some completely grayor bald, sensible nursing shoessticking out tongues, missedopportunities and occasions,stale sentiments and promises,cross words and gentle joshing.The doctors sutured everything back in,intricate needlework across her chest,knew if they cleaned it out,she would float away.​​